Cassandra Wilson - Loverly

Unpretentious yet masterly

Cassandra Wilson at her best.
Wonderful, interesting interpretations of well-known songs with a team of musician who really bring out the best of Cassandra.
My favorite: Caravan! Rarely presented with such cool.
Contrary to some of the other reviewers I judge Ms Wilson's detached and apparently uncommitted way of delivering the songs as a great asset of this CD. October 8, 2008

Loverly

This CD will go down as one of the best jazz CD's ever recorded!!! Please Buy It! Run don't walk!!!! September 18, 2008

Low energy performances

Ms. Wilson seems to be missing the energy to deliver much excitement in these songs. Maybe good bedtime music. September 5, 2008

Many fine moments, some funky grooves.

Cassandra's smoky alto remains one of the most beguiling voices in jazz and blues.
After it was wreathed in a high-tech production by the producer T. Bone Burnett on Thunderbird, she goes back to acoustic basics of traditional jazz vocals here, with a set almost entirely comprised of vintage tunes recorded with a small combo featuring the brilliant pianist du jour, Jason Moran and the guitar of Marvin Sewell.
"Loverly" was produced in a rented house in her Mississippi hometown, with assembled invited musician friends who got down to the business of recording then and there, making this recording so relaxed and personal that it feels like a live set in your own living room.
It's impressive to hear the class and character Cassandra has injected into these 20th century songs.
With the help of Yoruba percussionist Lekan Babalola she knits West African rhythms into stripped-down arrangements, featuring Lonnie Plaxico (bass), Jason Moran (piano) and Herlin Riley (drums).
The decisive player, however, is Nigerian percussionist Lekan Babalola, whose polyrhythmic flurries perk up Duke Ellington's "Caravan" and a version of "Gone With the Wind" whose elegant unison guitar and piano recalls Steely Dan.
He's at the heart of "Arere", inspired by the Yoruban god of willpower, on which Cassandra could be singing in a native dialect, or scatting.
"Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" is a true eye-opener. Cassandra's voice is so deep and resonant it's tangible, and she tells her story of loneliness backed only by Marvin Sewell's silvery acoustic guitar. He reappears playing ethereal slide guitar on "Black Orpheus", supported by Cuban-sounding percussion and piano, under Cassandra's whispered, desolate vocals.
"The Very Thought of You", a sublime duet with guest bassist Reginald Veal, features a rhythmic solo and sinuous vocals.
It is the up-tempo tracks that succeed in turning sparks to flame here. A traddish version of "Lover Come Back To Me" smears Cassandra's mellifluous vocals across Jason Moran's wild piano playing and "Arere", the only original on the album, is a frenetic fusion of unstoppable, cascading rhythms. On "Caravan" too, hectic percussion tumbles over jumbled piano and guitar, with Cassandra's voice at the other side of the room one moment and eerily close the next.
For many, it's Wilson's blues singing that stands out and she invests warhorses such as "St James Infirmary" and "Dust My Broom with a funky vitality.
All in all, not quite a classic, but many fine moments.
Highlights: "Caravan", "St James Infirmary", "Gone With the Wind", and "Arere". August 13, 2008

"Lots of Choc'lates For Me To Eat . . . Wouldn't It Be Loverly?"

Listening to this latest album of Cassandra Wilson is such a novelty for me since this is my first taste of her one-of-a-kind vocal artistry. I have enjoyed the whole CD after listening with repeated plays and as a result of my delightful listening adventure, I have added another one of hers, "Rendezvous" to my ever-growing collection. And I'm looking forward as well to owning some of her most remarkable recordings.

With this CD, Cassandra Wilson has totally impressed me with her unique vocal art and flair. Ms. Wilson and her bandmates did a great job with the remarkable renditions with new twists on all twelve tracks making it a truly notable album that is worthy to be in every music lover's collection. She called themselves the "magnificent seven musicians"-- Lonnie Plaxico and Reginald Veal (bass), Lekan Babalola (percussion), Marvin Sewell (guitar), Herlin Riley (drums), Jason Moran (piano) and the "Woman on the mirror."

My ears' favorites include the following:

1. An attractive, enchanting and tender interpretation of "Black Orpheus" making it the best vocal version ever recorded.
2. "The Very Thought of You" is the most stirring and eloquently rendered track from this set. The lone accompaniment is courtesy of Reginald Veal's acoustic upright bass.
3. A stylishly wonderful delivery of a jewel of a song, "Till There Was You," from the Broadway musical "The Music Man."
4. One of the strongest tracks is "Caravan" wherein her bandmates put a lot of fresh and ingenious styles without deviating from the true essence of the song. The rhythm is vivacious and very engaging.
5. I simply love how they created a beyond brilliant arrangement for a classic of a song, "Gone With The Wind."
6. Last but not least, "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from one of my favorite musicals, Lerner and Loewe's "My Fair Lady" - it is such a delight to listen to her singing this song with a new flavor especially the sweet and unaffected line..."lots of chocolates for me to eat." (make it See's please).

Wholeheartedly recommended. You'll enjoy it as much as I do. August 9, 2008

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